# S. P. Pillai

S. P. Pillai (28 November 1913 – 12 June 1985) was an Indian film and stage actor, best known for his comic roles in Malayalam films.

## Biography

S. Pankajakshan Pillai alias S. P. Pillai was born in 1913 in the temple town of Ettumanoor in Kottayam district. His father Shankara Pillai, was a police constable. Pillai lost his parents at a young age itself. He could not get basic education but obtained training in Ottan Thullal from Kalamandalam for a few years. He started his career as a supporting actor in stage plays. His first film, Appan Thamburan's Bhootharayar, did not release. His first released film was Jnanambika (1940). He shot to fame as a comedy actor after the superhit film Nalla Thanka (1951). He did notable roles in more than 300 films, including Snehaseema, Nayaru pidichapulivalu, Chemmen, Bharya, Vidarunna Mottukal. He played the role of Paananar in almost all the Vadakkan Pattu films of Udaya. He has even sung the song Vayaranu Nammalkku Daivam for the movie Thaskaraveeran, in 1957. Sanchari (1981) was his last film. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for his performance in Taxi Driver. He died on 12 June 1985. Actress Manju Pillai is his granddaughter.

## Awards

Kerala State Film Awards:
* Second Best Actor – 1977 – Taxi Driver
* He was also honoured with the Kalaratnam Award by the Travancore Devaswom Board
* Mayoora Award. Okay

## Filmography
### As an actor
#### 1950s

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1950 | Nalla Thanka | |
| 1950 | Chandrika | |
| 1950 | Sasidharan | Maniyan |
| 1950 | Chechi | |
| 1951 | Jeevitha Nouka | Shanku, Janu's brother |
| 1951 | Yachakan | |
| 1951 | Vanamala | |
| 1952 | Achan | Mathu |
| 1952 | Premalekha | |
| 1952 | Visappinte Vili | |
| 1952 | Aathmasanthi | |
| 1953 | Genova | |
| 1953 | Velakkaran | |
| 1953 | Sheriyo Thetto | |
| 1953 | Lokaneethi | |
| 1953 | Ponkathir | Pappan |
| 1954 | Sandehi | |
| 1954 | Snehaseema | Paili |
| 1954 | Balyasakhi | Pankan |
| 1954 | Avakashi | Marthandan |
| 1954 | Avan Varunnu | |
| 1955 | Aniyathi | S. P. |
| 1955 | C.I.D. | Pichu & Vava |
| 1955 | Harishchandra | Kalakantan |
| 1956 | Aathmaarpanam | |
| 1956 | Manthravadi | Mayadasan |
| 1957 | Deva Sundari | |
| 1957 | Jailppulli | Jambulingam |
| 1957 | Thaskaraveeran | Pappu Pilla |
| 1957 | Achanum Makanum | Forest Officer |
| 1957 | Padatha Painkili | Mayilan |
| 1958 | Mariakutty | Naanu |
| 1958 | Nairu Pidicha Pulivalu] | Chanthukutty |
| 1958 | Lilly | |
| 1959 | Aana Valarthiya Vanampadi | Idea Annan thampi |

#### 1960s

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1960 | Poothali | |
| 1960 | Umma | Vattathil Kurup |
| 1961 | Bhakta Kuchela | |
| 1961 | Arappavan | Raphael Mappila |
| 1961 | Sabarimala Ayappan | |
| 1961 | Kandam Becha Kottu | Minnal Moideen |
| 1961 | Ummini Thanka | |
| 1961 | Jnaanasundari | Antony |
| 1961 | Christmas Rathri | Thoma |
| 1962 | Puthiya Akasam Puthiya Bhoomi | Mammutty |
| 1962 | Palattu Koman | Pankan |
| 1962 | Snehadeepam | Njaramban/Karnan |
| 1962 | Sreekovil | |
| 1962 | Kannum Karalum | |
| 1962 | Bharya | Uthuppu |
| 1963 | Snapaka Yohannan | Samuel |
| 1963 | Kadalamma | Ramabhadran |
| 1963 | Kalayum Kaminiyum | |
| 1963 | Ninamaninja Kalpadukal | Bomb Kunjooju |
| 1963 | Ammaye Kaanaan | Sankunni Nair |
| 1963 | Doctor | Keshavan |
| 1963 | Chilamboli | |
| 1964 | Oral Koodi Kallanayi | Kammathi |
| 1964 | School Master | Kuttan Pilla |
| 1964 | Manavatty | |
| 1964 | Thacholi Othenan | Chandu |
| 1964 | Omanakuttan | |
| 1964 | Aadyakiranangal | Avaran |
| 1964 | Althaara | |
| 1964 | Atom Bomb | Kuttan Karanavar |
| 1964 | Anna | |
| 1964 | Karutha Kai | Damu |
| 1964 | Devaalayam | |
| 1964 | Sree Guruvayoorappan | Panamaran |
| 1964 | Ore Bhoomi Ore Raktham | |
| 1965 | Pattuthoovaala | Philip |
| 1965 | Kavyamela | Swami |
| 1965 | Kaliyodam | Kittu pilla |
| 1965 | Murappennu | |
| 1965 | Mayavi | Kaimani |
| 1965 | Muthalali | Paramu |
| 1965 | Chemmeen | Achankunju |
| 1965 | Inapraavugal | Kutty |
| 1965 | Devatha | |
| 1965 | Odayil Ninnu | Thomachan |
| 1965 | Kattupookkal | |
| 1965 | Jeevithayaathra | Ringmaster |
| 1965 | Kathirunna Nikah | Moideen |
| 1966 | Puthri | Madhavan |
| 1966 | Kadamattathachan | |
| 1966 | Anarkali | Kasim |
| 1966 | Priyathama | |
| 1966 | Kaattumallika | |
| 1967 | Pavappettaval | Pappu Ashan |
| 1967 | Kasavuthattam | Paarakkoottathil Aliyaar |
| 1967 | Chekuthante Kotta | |
| 1967 | Chithramela | |
| 1967 | Mulkireedam | |
| 1967 | Kavalam Chundan | |
| 1967 | Mynatharuvi Kolakase | |
| 1967 | Karutha Rathrikal | |
| 1967 | Lady Doctor | Thommi |
| 1967 | Thalirukal | |
| 1967 | Khadeeja | |
| 1967 | N.G.O | |
| 1967 | Agniputhri | Embranthiri |
| 1967 | Ollathumathi | |
| 1967 | Naadan Pennu | Aliyaar |
| 1967 | Arakkillam | |
| 1968 | Karutha Pournami | |
| 1968 | Adhyapika | |
| 1968 | Punnapra Vayalar | Ouseph |
| 1968 | Kodungallooramma | Konkammavan |
| 1968 | Kaliyalla Kalyanam | |
| 1968 | Hotel High Range | Velu Pilla |
| 1968 | Pengal | |
| 1968 | Kadal | Peter |
| 1968 | Thirichadi | P. C. Chacko |
| 1969 | Poojapushpam | |
| 1969 | Kuruthykkalam | |
| 1969 | Jwala | Pankan |
| 1969 | Koottukudumbam | |
| 1969 | Soosi | Thomachan |
| 1969 | Chattambikkavala | Ponnan |
| 1969 | Urangatha Sundari | Bhrandan |
| 1969 | Janmabhoomi | Pillai |
| 1969 | Ballatha Pahayan | Pillai |
| 1969 | Nurse | |
| 1969 | Kumara Sambhavam | Vikadan |

#### 1970s

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1970 | Sabarimala Sree Dharmashastha | | |
| 1970 | Thara | Ayyappan | |
| 1970 | Nilakkatha Chalanangal | | |
| 1970 | Swapnangal | Chellappan | |
| 1970 | Madhuvidhu | Ganesh | |
| 1970 | Dathuputhran | Kunjavarachan | |
| 1970 | Abhayam | Pachu Pilla | |
| 1970 | Pearl View | Boss | |
| 1970 | Othenante Makan | Anakkan | |
| 1970 | Ningalenne Communistakki | Pappu | |
| 1970 | Nazhikakkallu | Gopalan | |
| 1970 | Palunku Pathram | | |
| 1971 | Avalalpam Vaikippoyi | | |
| 1971 | Kochaniyathi | Kunju Nair | |
| 1971 | Marunnattil Oru Malayali | Vittal | |
| 1971 | Agnimrigam | Shankunni | |
| 1971 | C.I.D. In Jungle | | |
| 1971 | Panchavan Kaadu | Kannappan | |
| 1971 | Aabhijathyam | Pappiashan | |
| 1971 | Lora Neeyevide | Ponnappan | |
| 1971 | Kuttyedathi | Govindan Nair | |
| 1971 | Puthenveedu | | |
| 1971 | Sarasayya | Chackochan | |
| 1971 | Bobanum Moliyum | Kittu Pilla | |
| 1972 | Sree Guruvayoorappan | | |
| 1972 | Naadan Premam | Kunjan | |
| 1972 | Vidhyarthikale Ithile Ithile | | |
| 1972 | Oru Sundariyude Katha | Pappu Shipayi | |
| 1972 | Postmane Kananilla | Nanu Nair | |
| 1972 | Gandharavakshetram | Govindan Nair | |
| 1972 | Preethi | | |
| 1972 | Sathi | | |
| 1972 | Prathikaram | Shobha's father | |
| 1972 | Manushyabandhangal | Nanu Nair | |
| 1973 | Panitheeratha Veedu | Chacko/Jose's father | |
| 1973 | Thenaruvi | Thulasi's father | |
| 1973 | Dharmayudham | Sankaran | |
| 1973 | Chenda | | |
| 1973 | Nakhangal | Pappunni | |
| 1973 | Periyar | | |
| 1973 | Thekkan Kattu | Mathai | |
| 1973 | Kaadu | Sankar | |
| 1973 | Azhakulla Saleena | Paappi | |
| 1973 | Aashachakram | | |
| 1973 | Manushyaputhran | Kunjandi | |
| 1973 | Pavangal Pennungal | | |
| 1973 | Ponnapuram Kotta | | |
| 1973 | Enippadikal | | |
| 1973 | Masappady Mathupillai | | |
| 1973 | Kaliyugam | | |
| 1973 | Nirmalyam | | |
| 1973 | Swargaputhri | Hospital Warden | |
| 1974 | Nellu | Vaattuvelu | Guest appearance |
| 1974 | Youvanam | Kunju Nair | |
| 1974 | Udayam Kizhakku Thanne | | |
| 1974 | Thumbolarcha | Panar | |
| 1974 | Thacholi Marumakan Chanthu | Vayttil Thampan | |
| 1974 | Checkpost | | |
| 1974 | Durga | Ambu | |
| 1974 | Vandikkari | | |
| 1974 | Pathiravum Pakalvelichavum | | |
| 1975 | Swami Ayyappan | | |
| 1975 | Boy Friend | | |
| 1975 | Ullasa Yaathra | | |
| 1975 | Abhimaanam | Vasu Pilla | |
| 1976 | Pushpasharam | | |
| 1977 | Vidarunna Mottukal | Pappan Pilla | |
| 1977 | Taxi Driver | | |
| 1977 | Achaaram Ammini Osharam Omana | Paulose | |
| 1978 | Kaithappoo | | |
| 1978 | Kadathanaattu Maakkam | Paanan | |
| 1979 | Swapnangal Swanthamalla | | |

#### 1980s

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1980 | Paalattu Kunjikannan | |
| 1981 | Sanchari | Palpu's father |
| 1983 | Pallamkuzhi | |
| 1983 | Kaathirunna Naal | |
| 1984 | Sabarimala Dharshanam | |
| 1985 | Madhuvidhu Theerum Mumbe | |

### As a singer

* Vayaranu Nammalkku Daivam as Thaskaraveeran 1957